COU NS EL IN G P R O C ES S

DR. JOEL B. MANGABA

JULY 28, 2021
OBJECTIVES

• UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT PROCESSES OF COUNSELING

COUNSELING PROCESS
• IT IS A PLANNED, STRUCTURED DIALOGUE BETWEEN A COUNSELOR AND A CLIENT
• IT IS A COOPERATIVE PROCESS IN WHICH A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL HELPS A PERSON CALLED
THE CLIENT TO IDENTIFY SOURCES OF DIFFICULTIES OR CONCERNS THAT HE OR SHE IS
EXPERIENCING
• TOGETHER THEY DEVELOP WAYS TO DEAL WITH AND OVERCOME THESE PROBLEMS SO THAT
PERSON HAS NEW SKILLS AND INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF THEMSELVES AND OTHERS.
COUNSELING PROCESS
EXAMPLES:
STUDENTS IN A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY MAYBE ANXIOUS ABOUT HOW TO STUDY
IN UNIVERSITY, LACK OF CLARITY ON EDUCATIONAL OR CAREER DIRECTION, HAVE
DIFFICULTY LIVING WITH A ROOM-MATE OF ANOTHER RACE OR RELIGION, HAVE
CONCERNS WITH SELF-ESTEEM, FEELINGS WITH BEING “STRESSED OUT”,
DIFFICULTIES IN ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP, AND SO ON…
https://files.secure.website/wscfus/10489420/8169158/benefits-of-cou
nseling1-w680-o.jpg
1. RELATIONSHIP BULDING
2. PROBLEM ASSESSMENT AND
DIAGNOSIS
3. FORMULATION OF COUNSELING GOALS
4. INTERVENTION AND PROBLEM
SOLVING
5. EVALUATION, TERMINATION, OR
REFERRAL
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Focus on engaging clients to explore issue that directly affect them.
The first interview is important because the client is reading the verbal
and non-verbal messages and make inferences about the counselor and the
counseling situation

Is the counselor able to empathize with the client? Does the client view
the counselor as genuine?
SOME NON-HELPFUL BEHAVIORS
Advice giving
Lecturing
Expressive Questioning
Storytelling
Asking “Why?”
SOME STEPS FOR RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Introduce yourself
Invite client to sit down
Ensure client is comfortable
Address the client by name
Invite social conversation to reduce anxiety
Watch for non-verbal behaviour as signs of client’s emotional state
Invite client to describe his or her reason for coming to talk
Allow client to respond
Indicate that you are interested in the person
PROBLEM ASSESSMENT
This step involves the collection
and classification of information
about the client’s life situation and
reasons for seeking counseling
Https://www.Goodtherapy.Org/blog/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/counselor-writing-notes-for-
person-in-treatment.Jpg
GOAL SETTING
Goals are the results or outcomes that
clients want to achieve at the end of
counseling
This gives direction to the sessions
It involves making a commitment
 Should be defined in explicit
and measurable terms
 Should be feasible
 Should be within the range of
the counselor’s knowledge and
skills
 Should be stated in positive
terms that emphasize growth
INTERVENTION
Behavioral Interventions –  in clinical care are those activities delivered by primary care clinicians and related health
care staff to assist patients in adopting, changing or maintaining behaviors proven to affect health outcomes and
health status.
Affective Interventions –  these kinds of interventions focus on a patient’s feelings. With effective interventions,
patients who grapple with overly strong feelings can identify and express those emotions properly, and learn how to
manage them. In one exercise, therapists can give patients a list of various emotions (fear, anger, happiness, etc.)
and ask them to take an inventory of the predominant feelings experienced over a particular period of time. 
Cognitive Interventions - This type of psychological intervention is geared toward those people who are too caught up in their
own thoughts, specifically negative or erroneous ones. Troublesome thought patterns can dictate a person’s actions and how they
live their lives, and therefore take away a person’s own agency. In these cases, it is imperative to replace those negative thoughts
with positive ones that can transform a patient’s beliefs, self-image, and outlook on life. In essence, these thoughts govern every
aspect of a patient’s life—thoughts, feelings and actions.
EVALUATION, FOLLOW-UP, TERMINATION OR REFERRAL

All counseling aims towards successful

termination
Terminating the counseling process will
have to be conducted with sensitivity with
the client knowing that it will have to end.
EVALUATION, FOLLOW-UP, TERMINATION OR REFERRAL

To terminate the relationship:

•Explain to the client that your job is to ensure they get excellent
care and that you do not feel you can meet their needs.
•Give the client space to process their feelings. ...
•Offer a referral to a therapist who might be a better fit.
EVALUATION, FOLLOW-UP, TERMINATION OR REFERRAL

Counselor always mindful of avoiding fostering dependency and is

aware of own needs
Preparation for termination begins long before
It can also be considered when it seems counseling is not being helpful
Think of this as a means of empowering client
Role to review progress, create closure in client counselor
REFERENCES
• HTTPS://WWW.SLIDESHARE.NET/PRAVEENSURESHPAI/COUNSELING-
PROCESS

• HTTPS://CASAPALMERA.COM/BLOG/TYPES-OF-INTERVENTIONS-IN-C
OUNSELING/